What is the Tomatometer®?

The Tomatometer rating – based on the published opinions of hundreds of film and television critics – is a trusted measurement of movie and TV programming quality for millions of moviegoers. It represents the percentage of professional critic reviews that are positive for a given film or television show.

From the Critics

From RT Users Like You!

Fresh

The Tomatometer is 60% or higher.

Rotten

The Tomatometer is 59% or lower.

Certified Fresh

Movies and TV shows are Certified Fresh with a steady Tomatometer of 75% or higher after a set amount of reviews (80 for wide-release movies, 40 for limited-release movies, 20 for TV shows), including 5 reviews from Top Critics.

The French Connection Reviews

To quote DiCaprio in Django Unchained, "gentlemen, you had my curiosity, but now you have my attention". As the 1971 best picture and director winner, it had my curiosity, and 10 minutes in it had my attention. The New York street had a picture perfect Atmosphere, and the train chase sequence was one of the most memorable scenes in any crime movie. If I had to make a list of the 40 best picture winners, this would be in the top 20.

A police thriller which has stood the test of time and showed other moviemakers how it should be done, The French Connection was a film that excited me at times and frustrated me at others. The highlights include the raw, passionate central performance from Gene Hackman as the play-by-his-own-rules cop, sometime before it became a cliché, the steady build of the first half, but most of all the now-legendary car chase through the streets of New York. It's tense, fast-paced, shot beautifully and has a brutal, kinetic energy that had me on the edge of my seat throughout. The drawbacks include an unnecessarily long runtime and a very meandering plot, with several parts of it feeling directionless. It has a pretty sporadic musical score too, with some scenes having no music at all and others having too much. Ironically it's the scenes with no music which I found the most enjoyable, as they rely on all natural sounds, creating a much more realistic atmosphere. It's a seminal movie that ruled the genre at the time, and dictated how future films would be made.

"The French Connection" is a gritty, hard-edged, tough as nails, and savagely smart police thriller led by the thrilling direction of William Friedkin and a superb performance from Gene Hackman. When the chase scene comes, this one holds nothing back.

A seminal crime movie from the early 1970s, the French Connection has so many iconic images that set the tone for many such movies for years to come. This is a "warts-and-all" production where the leading character is seen as a flawed and not terribly likeable character who despite his shortcomings, is brilliant at his job. Gene Hackman plays the character of "Popeye" Doyle with great style and skill, making him as believable and ruthless as he is interesting. The grimy underbelly of New York in the late 1960s and early 70s is an unglamorous and crime riddled backdrop to the action which focuses on the attempts of a criminal gang to open up a transatlantic drug route. Doyle and his team have been working hard to kill the drug trade in the city and become suspicious when they see a small time crook living the highlife and holding secret talks with a group of visiting French businessmen. It's a gritty, hard-nosed tale with some terrific action and a great pace. The direction, though dated, is taught and the delivery and setting is realistic. It is amazing to see just how much New York has changed since this movie was made 40 years ago, it really is almost unrecognisable. Just be aware that the movie does end on a cliff-hanger which doesn't get resolved until the sequel but at least these days, you don't have to wait the three years it took them to make The French Collection II before finding out what happens.

92%Watched this on 8/5/16The late 60s and the 70s changed American cinema (Glory days of New Hollywood Era) with daring realism in their films and finally took the Hollywood dazzle out of these films until Star Wars IV came and did a U-turn that resulted in studio controlled films meant for 10 year olds ever since. In this context, French Connection is a landmark achievement for the changing 70s cinema as well as the best work from William Friedkin. The film, although starts off slow, carries terrific pacing and tight, thrilling scenes. The cinematography, score and the lead actors all add to its taste.

The French Connection (1971) ????Exhilarating (almost overwhelming) action movie about narcotics cops in N.Y.C. who attempt to pull the plug on a major drug deal (it's essentially one long chase). Stellar film leads to chilling conclusion; Hackman is truly unforgettable. Some movie fans consider this to also have the most exciting car chase ever. Five Oscars: Picture, Actor, Director, Script, Editing. Followed by a sequel.

The trailer to this movie wasn't amusing nor was the first 15 minutes with laughable dialogues and caricature type characters. Everything changes instantly and soon taken over by intense screenplay and performances mixed with an exhilarating tail and chase sequence building up to a clever and perfect climax. This movie can be referred as a lesson on how perseverance can pay.

Doyle (Gene Hackman) is a cop in the narcotics bureau who is often criticized for his backfired hunches but well supported by his chief along with his partner Russo (Roy Scheider). Doyle and Russo come across a charismatic couple Boca's in a bar and tails them since they had a bad feeling. Their observation provides leads into some unknown shady deal about to happen. All this seems connected to a Frenchman Alain Charnier (Fernando Rey) but the details are still hazy. But Doyle's perseverance and unconventional work ethics helps to put pieces together.

Firstly a special commendation should go for the intense and exhilarating chase sequence between a car and a hijacked train. A role of an obsessed cop or a detective is nothing new but when played by someone as talented as Gene Hackman it just gets better. Hackman plays the role with measured intensity, carelessness, obsession and a sense of humor. Roy Scheider gives an apt supporting role while Fernando Rey is very inconsistent ebbing and surging the character's image constantly. Background score isn't too loud which is otherwise very common for thrillers during its era while the photography is very enjoyable with its perfect wide shots and intense maneuvering for additional thrills. The graphic violence lacks technical prowess succumbing to a low quality finished product in a couple of scenes. Though a little disconnected in the beginning, the screenplay pulls up from its lull intensifying and ends up playing the winning role for the movie.

The French Connection stars Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider as two narcotic police officers on the hunt for a heroin dealer who has been recently dealing in New York City. I really enjoyed this movie. Just the overall tone of the film and how it was made in the 70s already beings a different vibe while viewing. The direction in the film is very well done. William Friedkin captures the realistic setting extremely well that it sets up for a solid crime thriller. The pace is surprisingly fast also. Along with the fascinating story, we are given pristine action sequences, intriguing dialogue, great performances. Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider are so fun to watch. Their characters are bitter. gritty, and high spirited. The French Connection comes as basic as it gets and that's all this film needed.

A edgy/hard nosed detective drama directed by William Friedkin (The Exorcist 1973) who was & I think still is the youngest director to get the Oscar for Best Director.

The story of intense cop (Gene Hackman) on the trail of an international drug exchange based on little evidence just some strong hunches & street knowledge.

The strength of the film lies in its rawness & somewhat documentary real life style. It's fast, kinetic & impacting. It's a film that commands your attention & well worth a watch, a unique but worthy Best Picture winner of 1971.